Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-04-29
NO; it is a pleasure to minister to

Win loving slnilc on ucT lace sue lcil
her.
Once in her own room. the forced
smile faded away, leaving only the
pitiful look of agony.
How Kttie Wilton suffered during
that hour no one who has not experience
ed such agony can realize. She had been
SO secure in Johns love. 1t had been
one green spot in the desert Of her life;
and now to have the dream rudely
broken, when it was growing sweeter
every day. was cruel.
But at the end of an hour Kittics re-
solution was formed. All this was in
the past Henceforth her Life would
be devoted TO her parents. and when
they were at rest, she would try to find
some one else to comfort and bless.
But she would have fond memories, of
which no one could rob her, for
You may break, you may shatter the vase II
you will,
But the scent of the roses will linger there
still
And, although her idol had been shat
tered in the dust. the memories of days
that were all bright with loves happi-
ness would linger around the ruins.
So she stopped to bear this extra bur-
den laid upon her, and saving only 1T
might have BEEN" went on. as many a
weary pilgrim has done with only an
added look Of sorrow and few lines
more TO tell that she had suffered
Five years more passed slowly on
their way, bringing to Kitte Wilton
first the loss of her father. and follow
ing shortly afterward, the death of her
mother. Then alone, with no one to
care for, she took up her work, and
patiently day after day taught in the
old school.
Many who were not born when she
began to teach there, were now receiv-
ing instructions from her. But with
out the bright hope that had sustained
her in former years the work was more
tiresome, and wrinkles slowly came out
on the fair face, while look of weari-
ness crept into the gray eyes. which
seldom sparkled with mirth or pleas
ure.
The close of one day, however, found
klttie sitting in the little scuool deeply
thinking. An open letter lay on the
desk before her. 1t was from the John
of olden tmes-John Waters. Many
were the changes which time had
brought to him in tive short years. He
was a wealthy man-Kittie thought Of
this with sigh, for she remembered
how the wealth was gained. His wife
had been dead a year, and he was now
left with motherless child to care for.
''For her sake" he wrote, ~ can
not ask for myself but for my little
girls sake | ask you, Kittic, to come
and be a mother to her"
Could she refuse? Did Kittie Wilton
ever refuse to minister to any one who
needed her. No; and the next morn
ing letter went speeding to London
to John, telling him that she would be
his wife; and here was enough of the
old-time dream yet lingering in her
bosom to make her happy.
Perhaps she was foolish TO gorgive
so easily. But she knew best-can we
Judge her?
So in short time the answer came
back to her, II will come on for you
at once. Be prepared TO return with
me-" and more which We have no
right to know.
At last the long-looked-for day ar
rived, and Kttie. her heart full of the
happiness which had come after SO
many years of waiting, went briskly
about her work.
He was coming by the afternoon
train; and as soon as the scholars were
dismissed. she made her way to the
station TO await the arrival of the
train.
1t was now balf-p past four. The
train was due, and K.ttie strained her
eyes to see it approach; but all in vain.
No train was in sight
very SOOu sHc WIS lHdue aware OF an
excited conversation in the station be-
hind her. of which she caught some
sentences.
AT C, fifteen miles away" she
heard some one say.
Yes" returned another; must be
dreadful"
down an enbankment, did you
say" inquired third.
Il suppose so,' was the answer,
though news is very meager as yet.
The telegram has but just arrived"
X tile 5 face grew white rs she listen
ed to the ominous words.
1t was true. The train bearing
Kitties's lover has been wrecked.
The suspense Of the next few hours
was dreadful. lowering between hope
and dread of the worst, Kittie waited,
for, being a woman, she could do moth
ing else.